First ever Image of Buddha on Coins (Kanishka I, 128-150 AD)

 

Deities are worshipped in various forms from time immemorial. Beliefs and reverence for supernatural powers have driven humans to worship many forms. These deities are found depicted on Indus Valley Seals, on walls of ancient ruins, and at places of worship. After the advent of coins, deities were depicted on coins of Greece, Rome and on Janapada coins of India.

                        

Gold Dinar from the Kushan period, issued by Kanishka I between 128-150 AD, depicts the Buddha standing and facing forward. His left hand holds his robe, while his right hand is in the Abhaya Mudra, signifying 'have no fear'. To the left is a Bactrian legend, and to the right, a tamgha symbol.

Boddo or Buddha founder of the new philosophic thought in India on whose teachings Buddhism was founded is depicted on coins of Kanishka I. He is believed to have lived and taught mostly in eastern part of the Indian subcontinent somewhere between the 6th and 4th century BC.

The iconic imagery of Gautam Buddha was introduced during the Kushan rule and developed with the Gandhara style of art under this dynasty. The image of Buddha on Kanishka i coins with all the aesthetic features of Buddha, like the head bun, the sanghati (the over a cloth) and long ear lobes.

The coins of Kanishka I have other avatars (incarnations) of Buddha depicted on them. According to Mahayana traditions, Buddha was not only Buddha, but Mahayana Buddhism also considers Shakyamuni Buddha to be the first Buddha, Maitreya Buddha is the future incarnation of Buddha according to the Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist traditions. Kanishka I's coins also portray him on them.

The coin below is a gold Dinar coin of Kanishka which depicts a crowned diademed king standing facing with Bactrian legend around. The reverse depicts Buddha standing facing, left hand holding robe, right hand in Abhaya mudra, with Bactrian legend around. This is probably the earliest representation of Buddha. 

                       

Gold Dinar, Kushan, Kanishka I, 128-150 AD, weight 7.9 gm, Obverse: Diademed head of king facing, holding spear and sacrificing at altar at left, Bactrian legend around, Reverse: The Buddha standing facing, left hand holding robe, right hand in Abhya Mudra, ''have no fear'', Bactrian legend left, tamgha at right.

                         

AE Didrachm, or 1/2-unit, 128-150 AD, Bronze, weight 8.4 gm, Obverse: Diademed king standing facing, holding spear and sacrificing at altar at left, Bactrian legend around, Reverse: Sakyamuni Buddha standing facing, left hand holding robe, right hand in Abhayamudra, ''have no fear'', Bactrian legend at left and right.  

                         

AE, tetradrachm, 128-150 AD, Bronze, weight 16.2 gm, Obverse: Diademed head king standing facing, holding spear and sacrificing at altar to left, Bactrian legend around, Reverse: Maitreya Buddha seated facing on a meditating platform, Bactrian legend around, no tamgha.